8.Early Christian Church_outline - Lecture 8: The Early...

or “…[S]tubbornness and inflexible obstinacy [that] surely deserve to be punished…” 1 Questions: 1. What factor(s) explain the rapid rise and acceptance of Christianity? 2. How did the Roman reaction to Christianity evolve over time? 3. Why was the Christian Church in a position to outlast the Roman Empire? Key Terms:-Paul of Tarsus-Constantine-Edict of Milan-Council of Nicaea-Theodosius I-Petrine Doctrine-Augustine of Hippo-354 Bc, An influential bishop and theologian. Writings influenced church for centuries. Links fall of Rome-to middle ages. Link between old and new I. Historical Context A. Roman Empire 1. State Religion • Pantheon of different gods. Had a state apparatus. • A public interest sort of thing. Important for long term prosperity. 2. Tolerance • Tolerant of different religions within the empire. Even adapted local god into state relgion. • That’s why they allowed the jews to keep practicing. 3. Imperial Cults 1 Pliny the Younger, Letter to Emperor Trajan, Letters 10.96-97, Internet Medieval Sourcebook, http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/pliny1.html , accessed 9 May 2011. 1

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